2018 Housing Tax Update – Patrick Weeks Team

2018 Housing Tax Update

In the past few weeks there has been a lot information flying around about all the new taxes and housing implications.

We thought it would be beneficial to break that down in point form. Finance Minister Carole James has stated her intent is to try to lower the price of housing, and she is certainly well on her way to doing that with last month’s announcement in the BC Budget of several new and revised taxes on real estate. Summaries of each of these taxes are below:

Speculation Tax (new)

This new tax is meant to target foreign and domestic homeowners who do not pay income tax in B.C. According to the BC government, the aim is to target foreign and domestic speculators, and out of province property owners, but it will certainly capture many locals as well. The details:

effective for the 2018 tax year

tax starts at .5% of assessed value in 2018 and jumps to 2% in 2019

apply to homes not used as primary residence or as long-term rental, and where income tax is not being paid in BC

applies to homes in Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, Kelowna and West Kelowna, Nanaimo to Lantzville, Abbotsford, Chillwack, and Mission

a nonrefundable income tax credit will help offset the tax for BC residents, but it will likely not cover the costs for many locals, especially for low-income seniors whose second properties have higher assessed values. This nonrefundable tax credit is capped at $2,000.

There have been hundreds of complaints from British Columbians who own vacation properties in places like the Gulf islands, Kelowna and Victoria, for example, so Finance minister Carol James on March 26th, 2018 announced the BC government will not be applying this speculation tax to the Gulf Island and Parksville-Qualicum areas. James also stated that from 2019 forward, British Columbians will continue paying the 0.5% rate, but it will go up to 1% for permanent residents and Canadian citizens who don’t live in B.C. Those deemed to be foreign investors and satellite families will pay 2%, starting next year.

Increased School Tax (new)

This new tax increases the school taxes on home valued over $3,000,000. The details:

effective 2019

applies to all of BC

0.2% tax rate on the residential portion assessed between $3 million and $4 million

0.4% tax rate on the residential portion assessed over $4 million

Foreign Buyers Tax (increased and expanded)

The 15% foreign buyers tax was implemented in the summer of 2016 in Metro Vancouver, but the B.C. government announced in its 2018 Budget that this tax would be increased and expanded to include areas outside of Metro Vancouver. The details:

effective immediately (February 21, 2018)

tax has been increased to 20% from 15%

expanded to include the Capital Regional District, Fraser Valley, Central Okanagan and Nanaimo Regional District

contracts written before Feb. 20, 2018 with a closing on or before May 18, 2018 are exempted in regions outside of Metro Vancouver

Property Transfer Tax (increased)

The Property Transfer Tax (PTT), which is charged to the buyer when the property’s title transfers, has been increased for properties with fair market values over $3,000,000. The details:

effective immediately

tax increased on residential properties from 3% to 5% on the value of homes over $3,000,000

remains at 1% on first $200,000, 2% on amounts between $200,000 and $2,000,000; 3% on amounts between $2,000,000. and $3,000,000.

applies to all of BC

contracts written before Feb. 20, 2018 with a closing on or before May 18, 2018 are exempted from paying the additional property transfer tax.

My team and I utilize our top 0.1% ranking of all greater Vancouver realtors to help our clients achieve success. This coupled with our industry leading marketing practices which include our ability to reach out to our over 5,000 client database, the leveraging of our long standing relationships with other top agents, and our outside of the box experienced thinking to provide our clients with the best service and advice available in the marketplace. If you would like more clarity on these taxes, or how they may affect you or the market in general, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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This representation is based in whole or in part on data generated by the Chilliwack District Real Estate Board, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board or Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy.